Shanghai gears up for a health industry map

Bayer, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, exhibits products at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Nov 6. [Photo by Fu Tian/VCG]

Shanghai is mapping out a comprehensive regional health industry pattern.

Various health-related parks and blocks dotted around Shanghai help the city to realize its goal of forming an industrial health cluster.

The most recent addition was seen in Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, where an international health block was unveiled on Dec 20.

The block will introduce general and specialized medical institutes to the area, complementing the current settlements on biomedical research and development, diagnostic reagents, medical apparatus and instruments, and high-end medical services.

The first phase of construction has been completed, inviting in renowned brands such as Health 100 and Orange Dental for Kids. The second phase, scheduled to be finished in June 2019, will house a healthcare center, specialist clinic and image detection center, and will be backed by educational and other supporting facilities.

Fan Jincheng, an official at the Pudong New District where Zhangjiang is located, said the new international health block will optimize the local business environment and help shape the biomedical industry chain.

Good news also came from Shanghai's southeast corner, Nanhui New City, where a 280,000-square-meter biotechnology industrial park is under construction and will be put into operation in the fourth quarter of 2019.

A number of industrial leaders have settled in the area, including Tellgen and Junshi Biosciences, jointly bringing out industry scale effects in genetic sequencing, in vitro diagnostic reagents, and high-performance medical apparatus and instruments.

The health undertaking has long been an industrial calling card of Shanghai. In recent years, the sector has displayed remarkable momentum; its output value is estimated to reach 400 billion yuan ($58 billion) in 2020 and it is expected to become an innovative hub and industrial cluster by 2025.